Box blank taping machine



K. SIEG BOX BLANK TAPING MACHINE July 29, 1952 2 SI-IEETS--SHEET l FiledApr1'7, 1948 July 29, 1952 K. SIEG BOX BLANK TAPING MACHINE Filed April7, 1948 TTE1Z.

llllllllllllii 2 SHEETS--SHEET 2 "IlffII/IIIIIIIII a a INVEN TOR. s aifa/Z Yigg 50 57 BY V f' j@ l 57 20mA ,Jamwv "M yada 3'9 .59 60ATTORNEYS Patented July 29, V1952 2,604,825 ICE BOX BLANK TAPING MACHINEKarl Sieg, Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to Samuel M. Langston Co.,Camden, N. J., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 7, 1948,Serial No. 19,531

6 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for applying an adhesive tape to abox blank, and in its preferred form is especially adapted for use withblanks formed of double faced corrugated paper board and which includepanels to form the side walls of the boxand flaps. or extensions whichare to be folded over to form the top and bottom of the box after theblank has been taped and opened up.` It is important that the. tapeextend along the abutting edges of the side panels and terminate at thefold lines of the closure flaps.

In a common type of such taping machines the flat blanks, folded-tobring opposite edges into abutting position, are fed one at a timethrough the machine, and adhesive tape is supplied and cutv intosuccessive sections as it is applied over the abutting edges of theblank and lengthwise thereof. The tape is usually supplied in roll formand fed over a moistening device. One end of the tape is attached to theblank at the proper point during the advancement of the blank and theblank pulls the required amount of tape from the roll as the moistenedsection of the tape is pressed onto the blank. When the blank reaches apredetermined position in its travel the tape is cut off and furtherfeeding of the tape is stopped; The strip of applied tape is muchshorter than the blank as it extends only between the foldY lines, andtherefore even though the blanks may be fed continuously and closelyjuxtaposed end to end, the tape is fed only intermittently. After asection of the tape is cut olf, the end of the tape remains at restuntil the next blank is advanced to a predetermined position, at whichtime the end of the tape is attached to the blank and the tape must thentravel at the speed of the blank.

In modern taping machines the blanks are fed at relativelyhigh speed andthe strain imparted to the tape when the endV of the tape is attached toa fast-traveling blank and the tape is forced to instantly acquire thatspeed from a standing start, often causes the tape to snap or theattached' end to slip back from the desired point of attachment close tothe closure-flap fold line.

My invention relates particularly to the tape feeding mechanism formachines ofthe type referred to, and as one feature of my novelconstruction I provide means whereby the tape is kept undersubstantially uniform light tension bothwhile at rest and while beingapplied.

As another feature I provide means whereby a loop of tape is maintainedunder tension, and as a portion of the tape forming the loop is used upthe loop shortens, but during the interval between successive tapeapplying operations it is extended to its full length. Thus when thetape rst starts moving atthe speed of the blank it is drawn from theloop rather than directly from the supply roll.

As a further feature I provide positively acting feed mechanism at thesupply end of the loop and at the delivery end of the loop, but socontrol them that the feeding mechanism supplying to the loop doesnotcome into operation until aportion of the tape has been appliedandthe loop has been shortened to approximately a predetermined length.Thereafter thetape is1V posi.- tively fed to and positively drawn fromthev loop. Thus the strain on the tape in starting is reducedy to aminimum, but the tapeiskeptundertension at all times. I

As a further. featureI provide a roller having a peripheral speed equalto thev speed of. travel of the blank, and which exerts a dragforce onthe tape supplied to the loop, so that verylight tension need be exertedin extending the loop after each tape applying operation. f

As a further feature I employ positively acting means for feeding tapeto they shortenedloop and withdrawing tape from the loop during; themain portion of the tapeV applying operat1on,..so that the loop remainsof substantially constant length after ther start ofthe feed meansdelivering tape to the loop. y

As a further feature I provide a snubbing or tape gripping device forholding; the: free. end; of the tape against backward movement-.afteraseo;- tion has been cut off and during the` reforming; of the longerloop between successive tape applying operations.

As a further feature, I provide means for ad.- justing the minimumspacing of the tape feeding rollers.

As a further feature, the tapefeedingand-tapev cutting operations may-be controlledwhile the;y machine.- is running', and by an inspector atthe. delivery endof the machine.

Other features will be pointed outv in connection with a description ofaV preferredembodiment of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mechanism embodying my invention.

Figs. 2 to 7 inclusive are sections:v on the lines. 2 2 to '1 -1,respectively, of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 8 is a perspective Viewv of a box blank with` the tape appliedthereto.

A type of blank which may be taped bymy improved machine is shown inFig. 8. The blank A is folded so that the edges of two panelsC are inabutting relationship,` and the, tape B is.

applied to secure these panels'together. Ateachk end of each panel is akclosure flapy D, and the tape extends merely from the fold line a tothe` fold line b of these flaps.

The-blank A may be fed through the machine by any suitable means commonin the art.. As shown, the folded blank is fed between conveyor belts Itand Il, and suitable means are pro.- vided for so controlling the feedofthe tape. that the feeding will start when the blank reaches. apredetermined position where onev end of thetape will be substantiallyin registry with the firstr fold line. The tape is cut off and the feedstopped when the blank reaches a second predetermined position, so thatthe other end of the tapelwill register with the other fold line. Meansfor con,-

trollingr the tape starting and cutting operations are weil known in theart and form no novel part of my machine. Therefore I have notillustrated those portions of the machine in the accompanying drawing.

In my improved machine and in the specific form illustrated, the tape Bis fed from a suitable supply roll or other source and is deliveredbeneath the idler roll I2 (Fig. 6); over a combined drag and feed rolli3; beneath a pressure feed roll I4 (Fig. 4) then in the form of a looparound a tension roller I5 (Fig. 3) then beneath a snubber I6 (Fig. 5);then between the roller I3 and a pressure roller I1; then over a gluemoistener I8; and then between cutters I9 and 20 and onto the blankbeing fed along between the conveyor belts Ill-and II.

As an important feature of my invention the rollers I4 and I1 areintermittently moved toward and from roll I3 and at spaced points alongthe periphery thereof, so that the loop of tape around the roller I5 isformed between the rollers I4 and I1. As a further feature means areprovided for varying the length of this loop of tape, such means, inthe` form illustrated, including a pivoted arm 2| carrying the rollerI5.

The rollers I4 and I1 are bodily movable toward and from the driven rollI3, and when in the position shown in Fig. l, hold the tape tightlyagainst said roll, so that the tape is positively fed to the loop,around the roller I5, and from the loop to the blank.

The position of the roller I4 is controlled by the length of the loop,and the position of the roller I1 is controlled by the operation of adriven cam.

The arm 2| and roller I5 are employed to control the position of theroller I4. As shown, the arm 2| is pivoted on a stud 22 carried by abracket 22a on the frame, and has an extension 23 which supports acylindrical bar 24 free to oscillate and through' which a rod 25 isaxially movable. The endwise movement of the rod 25 through the bar inone direction is limited by a collar or stop 25,

and at the other sideof the rod is a coil spring 21 acting between thebar 24 and an adjustable nut 28.

The opposite end of the rod 25 has a stud on which is pivotally mounteda sleeve 29 on the end of an arm 3) and extending outwardly from aneccentric sleeve 3| on a stud 32 supported by the main frame of themachine. The roller I4 is freely rotatable on this eccentric sleeve, as

shown in Fig. 4. The extent to which the eccentric sleeve 3| may bemoved, and therefore the minimum spacing of the rollers |3 and I4, whenfeeding the tape, may be controlled by a stop 4I'adjustably clamped tothe stud 32 and in the path of movement of sleeve 29.

y Before the starting of each tape feeding operation, the roller I5 isin the position shown in dotted lines on Fig. 1, and is held there bythe action of a coil spring 33 on the stud 22 supporting the arm 2|, asshown in Fig. 3. In this position the bar 24 engages the stop 25 andholds the rod 25 to the left from the position shown in Fig. 1, and theroller I4 does not act to feed tape because this'roller is away from theroll I3.

In' moving to the position shown in solid lines,

the spring 21 is compressed, and the rod 25 is pulled to force theroller I4 toward the roller I3.

The roller i1 is rotatably mounted on an arm 35 pivoted on a stud 3B onthe frame of the machine. At the upper end of the arm 35 there is anadjustable screw 31 abutting against an actuating member controlled by acam disc 39 driven by the machine. The details of one form of thismechanism and the adjusting means therefor will -be described more fullyhereinafter.

As shown in Fig. 5, the snubber I6 is lightly pressed onto the tape by aspring 42 as the tape passes over a guide plate 43 supported on the stud36 which serves as a pivotal support for the arm 35 and has a spring 45for swinging said arm and holding the screw 31 against the cam actuatedmember. The snubber I6 is set at an incline to the tape and mayoscilla-te on its supporting stud 46, so that the tape may freely passto the blank, but when the tape is cut by the cutters I9, 20, the tapeis held against return movement. The return swing of the arm 2| to thedotted line position draws tape from the supply source to reform thelong loop during the interval required to advance another blank intoposition to be taped.

The operation of the parts so far described may be briefly summarized asfollows:

With the tape at rest it terminates at the cutter, and the snubber IGprevents any backward movement of the tape end. The roller I5 on thepivoted arm 2| is in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l, andthe roller I4 is spaced from the rotating roller I3. The slight dragexerted by this roller is not Suflicient to advance the tape. The cam 39is so positioned in respect to the cutter operating means and the blankadvancing means that when a blank reaches a predetermined position inits path of movement to and between the conveyor belts I and I I, thecam 38 will cause the arm 35 to swing and force the roller I 1 upwardlyto press the tape tightly against the rotating roller I3. The tape willinstantly start moving at the surface speed of the roller I3, which isthe same as the speed of the belts I0 and II which convey the blanks,the shaft of the roller and that of the conveyor belt pulley beingconnected by a chain 41.

The timing is such that the end of the tape, after passing the moistenerI8, will register with the first fold line a of the blank A. As the tapebecomes attached to the blank, the latter and the upper belt II willpull the tape from the loop which is around the roller I5, and the arm2| will swing to the left toward the position shown in solid lines.During this operation the tape being fed to the blank is merely thattaken from the loop, and the loop rapidly shortens. The cam 39 passesthe screw 31 on the arm 35 after the end of the tape has become attachedto the blank, and then the roller Il will drop slightly and cease to actin advancing the tape. As the loop further shortens by the pull exertedon the tape by the traveling blank, the arm 2| continues to Swing towardand to the position shown in solid lines in Fig. l, and in doing so willpull the rod 25 upwardly and cause the idler roller I4 to press the tapeonto the driven roller I3. Then the tape will be positively fed by theroller I3 to the loop, and at the saine rate that the tape is beingdelivered from the loop to the blank.

When the cutter operates to sever the tape the delivery of tape from theloop stops, but the free end, is held against return movement by thesnubber. The rollers I3 and I4 continue to feed the tape to the loop,and the loop is extended until the roller I5 is moved to such positionthat the roller I4 is no longer operative, and thereafter the drag onthe tape by the roller I3, and

the pressure exerted by the spring 33 (Fig. 3) will continue themovement of the arm 2l and roller I5 to the dotted line position andpull in a further amount of tape to restore the loop to its full length.When this point is reached the drag by the roller I3 is not sufficientto feed further ape.

Thus the loop of the tape is at all times kept under light tension bythe springs 33 and 2l, and when the feeding action of the blank startsagain there is but slight resistance to overcome, and this is notsufficient to cause any backward slipping of the tape in respect to theblank when the end of the tape is first attached to the blank. Due tothe maintenance of light tension on the tape, the absence of slack, andthe low resistance to the swinging of the arm and the shortening of theloop, there is very low resistance to the initial starting of the tapein motion and no liability of snapping the tape when the end portionsuddenly starts traveling at the high speed of the blank.

To adapt Vthe machine for use with folded blanks of various differentsizes and relative proportions, either the cam 39 or the cam actuatedmeans, or both, are relatively adjustable circumferentially, so that thefeed of thetape by the rollers I3 and Il begins at the proper time toregister with the fold line of the blank being fed. Relativelyadjustable lcams and cam actuated means are also provided to cut olftape sections of the proper length, as will be later pointed out. Afteran approximately correct relative positioning of the cams and camactuated memn bers is effected, while the machine lis at rest, anaccurate adjustment may be made while the machine is running, if anexamination of the taped blanks indicates the necessity therefor.

The control of the tape feeding and tape cutting is effected from ashaft 5ft driven through suitable gearing and intermittently rotated toeffect onerevolution of the shaft for each box blank fed to the machine.Keyed to the shaft is a hub 5I having a flange 52, and adjustablymounted on the hub is a hand wheel 53 to which the cam 39 is secured.The hand wheel is secured to the flange 52, as for instance by havinganundercut groove in the handv wheel for receiving the heads of bolts 55which extend through holes in the flange 52. Thus, by loosening thelnuts 55 of these bolts while the machine is at rest, the hand wheel 53and the cam 39 may be adjusted to the approximately proper position sothat the cam will actuate the lever arm to press the roller Il towardthe roller I3 at the proper instant in respect to the feeding of theblanks.

To transmit motion from the cam 35 to the lever 35, a collar 56 isbolted to the frame, and on this is rotatably mounted a collar 58 havinga radially extending pin 5l' on which a sleeve 58a may slide radially.As shown in Fig. 7, the sleeve 58a carries a roller 59 engaging theperiphery of the cam 39 and moves outwardlyalong the pin 5l when the camprojection passes beneath the roller 59. The sleeve 58a carries: a plate5] which engages the adjustable screw 37 on the arm 35. Thus, as the camrotates, the cam projection will engage the roller to move the sleeve58a outwardly, and the plate SS will w swing the lever 35 to cause theroller Il to press the tape against the driving roller I3. The roller Ilneed be held in pressing engagement with the ,tape only until the end ofthe tape is fed from the cutter to the blank beneath the belt Il, andtherefore the cam projection on the cam 39 may be circumferentiallyproportionedv so as to hold the roller Il in operative position for onlythe desired length of time.

The approximately correct positioning of the cam may be effected byloosening bolts 54 which secure the hand wheel and camto the hub, andsuch positioning may be facilitated by having one end surface of one,for instance the hand wheel, provided with graduations or marked as adial movable along an index mark on the adjacent surface of the hubflange.

The timing of tape feeding may be varied by circumferentially adjustingthe cam 39 with the hand wheel, or circumferentially adjusting thecollar 58 in respect to the frame.

To effect minor adjustment in the time of starting tape feeding toobtain the accurate timing of the operation of the cam and the rollerl1, and from the delivery end of the machine where the product may beinspected, means are provided for adjusting to a limited extent theposition of the roller 59 circumferentially of the cam, so that the cam.will engage it earlier or later in the rotation. The collar 56 whichcarries the roller 59 is provided with an arm 6| pvotally connected toan adjusting rod 62 through a universal joint 63, and the rod 52 mayextend to the delivery end of the machine. Thus an operator at thedelivery end may note Whether or not the tape end is at exactly the foldline of the blank, and by adjusting the rod 62 endwise he may oscillatethe collar 5B to a limited extent so as to advance or retard the time atwhich the projection of the cam 39 engages the roller 59 to force thesleeve 58a, outwardly, move the lever 35, and start tape feeding.

The same shaft 50 which carries the mechanism for controlling the timeof application of the tape also carries means for actuating the cutter.As shown in Fig. l, the shaft 50 has keyed thereto a hub E3 providedwith a flange El which carries a hand wheel 68 provided with an undercutgroove for the heads of bolts 69 for clamping the hand Wheel to theflange 61 on the hub. Circumferential adjustment mayl be made byloosening, nuts 'll on these bolts, and the extent of adjustment may benoted by providing calibrations or a dial on the outer face of the handwheel, and registering with an index mark on the end surface of theflange 6l. Bolted to the hand wheel 63 is the knife operating cam 'I2for raising and lowering the cutter blade 25 in respect to thestationary cutter blade I9.

The blade 2i] is pivoted on a stud '14, and has an arm connected by varod 'I6 to a lever il pivoted on a pin lll. The opposite end of thislever has a follower l!! riding on the knife cam l2. When the cam,rotating counterclockwise, reaches the position shown in Fig; l, thefollower drops into the recess 8B in the cam, and a spring 8l on the rod'IS suddenly forces the rod 'i3 upwardly, and this swings the knifeblade 2S. down in respectY to the stationary blade I9 and cuts the tape.rIhe follower 'I9 quickly moves out of the recess and the knife 20 isagain raised to the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

For effecting fine adjustment of the timing of the tape cuttingoperation, and by an operator at the discharge end of the machine, thepivot pin 'i8 is mounted on a lever 82 pivoted on a stud 33 on theframe, and connected by a rod Sd extending to the delivery end of themachine.

This rod may have a universal joint 85 oonnecting the main portion to aterminal portion 86 which is held against endwise movement by collars(shown in dotted lines) engaging opposite sides of the frame, and hasthreaded engagement with a part mounted for oscillation in the upper endof the lever 82.

Thus the operator at the discharge end of the machine may move thefulcrum stud 'i8 to the right or left from the position shown in Fig. 1,to advance or retard the time at which the follower 19 is actuated bythe cam 12 to cut the tape; and by means of the rod 62, the operator mayaccurately control the starting of the tape in its delivery from thecut-off to the blank.

Having thus described my invention what l claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. A machine for applying tape to successively advancing box blanks,including a movable member for forming a loop in the tape, a drivenroller, a pair of rollers movable into and out of operative position inrespect to said first inentioned roller, one coacting therewith to feedtape to said loop and the other coacting therewith to withdraw tape fromsaid loop, a cam for pressing the withdrawing roller of said pair intooperative position in respect to said driven roller to thereby feed tapefrom and shorten said loop, and means for pressing the feeding roller ofsaid pair into operative position in respect to said driven roller tofeed tape to said loop when said loop has shortened to a predeterminedextent.

2. A machine for applying tape to the abutting edges of a folded boxblank between its end closure flaps, including a driven roller withwhich the tape engages, a pair of idler rollers for pressing the tapeagainst said first mentioned roller at two spaced points on theperiphery of the latter, a movable member forming a loop in the tapeunder tension between said points, means for moving one of said pair ofrollers into operative position in respect to the driven roller todeliver tape from said loop to the blank when the blank reaches apredetermined position in its travel, and means for moving the other ofsaid pair into operative position in respect to said driven roller tofeed tape to the loop when said loop has been reduced to a predeterminedlength.

3. A machine for applying tape to the abutting edges of traveling boxblanks, including a roller, means for rotating said roller with aperipheral speed substantially equal to the rate of linear advancementof the blanks, a pair of spaced rollers independently movable into andout of operative position in respect to said iirst mentioned roller, amember movable toward and from said first mentioned roller and aroundwhich the tape is looped between said pair of rollers, means for movingone of said pair of rollers into operative position with respect to thefirst mentioned roller to initiate tape feeding from the loop of tape,and thereby shorten said loop, and means for moving the other of saidpair of rollers into operative engagement in respect to the rstmentioned roller to feed tape to said loop at the same rate it iswithdrawn therefrom, when said loop has been shortened to apredetermined extent.

4. A machine for taping folded blanks for cartons, including means foradvancing the blanks in succession and spaced apart, a continuouslyrotating driven roller, a bodily movable idler roller for forming andmaintaining a loop of varying length in the tape to be applied, a secondidler roller bodily movable into and out of operative position inrespect to said driven roller and coacting with the latter tointermittently feed tape to said loop, a third idler roller bodilymovable into and out of operative position in respect to said drivenroller and coacting therewith to intermittently draw tape from said loopto the blank, and means operatively connecting said i'lrst and secondmentioned idler rollers for bodily moving the second mentioned idlerroller into operative position in respect to said driven roller toeffect feeding of tape to said loop when the loop is shortened to apredetermined extent.

5. A machine for taping folded blanks for cartons as they are advancedin succession and in spaced relationship, including a driven tapefeeding roller, a bodily movable idler roller for forming a loop ofvarying length in the tape to be applied, a pair of idler rollers spacedapart along the periphery of said driven roller, one movable into andout of operative position in respect to said driven roller to feed tapeintermittently to said loop, and the other movable into and out ofoperative position with respect to said driven roller to intermittentlydraw tape from said loop to the blank to be taped, and means for movingthe rollers of said pair in succession into operative position inrespect to said driven roller.

6. A machine for taping folded blanks for cartons, including a conveyorfor advancing the blanks in succession and spaced apart, a continuouslyrotating driven roller, a bodily movable idler roller for forming andmaintaining a loop of varying length in the tape to be applied, a secondidler roller bodily movable into and out of operative position inrespect to said driven roller and coacting with the latter tointermittently feed tape to said loop, a third idler roller bodilymovable into and out of operative position in respect to said drivenroller and coacting therewith to intermittently draw tape from said loopto the blank, a cam for moving said third idler roller into and out ofoperative position in respect to said driven roller to draw tape fromsaid loop to a blank to be taped, and means operatively connecting saidrst and second mentioned idler rollers for bodily moving the secondmentioned idler roller into operative position in respect to said drivenroller to effect feeding of tape to said loop when the loop is shortenedto a predetermined extent.

KARL SIEG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

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